Bronwyn’s BCG

Back in the first week of February, Bronwyn had to get a BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin—I don’t know what that means, but it’s a tuberculosis vaccine) vaccination. I didn’t know TB vaccinations were still given in this day and age, but apparently Ireland has seen a rise in TB with the recent influx of immigrants from Eastern European countries and other countries where TB is still a threat.

Anyway, ever since getting the vaccination, Bronwyn has had a hard red lump on her arm where she got the needle. I figured it would go away after a few weeks, but instead it got larger. I was a little worried, but other moms assured me it was normal. Eventually there was a hard lump under her skin, about the size of a U.S. nickel in diameter. Two nights ago I was putting her in the tub when I noticed a thin papery scab that was starting to peel away from the lump. I peeled it off and this is what happened:

It drained at least four times this much. It was like the mother of all pimples.

It doesn’t seem to bother her much otherwise.

Now, to offset the gross factor of the first two pictures, here are some cuter ones.

Worth Reading

7 comments

Yes that is gross! I lived with several medics in Uni and they were always telling me gross stories over the dinner table so I think I’m immune. I even sent photos out of my son’s leg when he sliced it open and had to have a general to stitch it back together. Happy Healing! Sally

Goodness! That would have worried me. It did just reading about it! I quickly did a search that indicted that this is normal. Unique thing — said it would take up to 3 months to heal!!! Might leave a scar. Now that I think about it — I have a scar on my arm that was from one of these vaccinations I had to get as a kid. You are a good Momma! Thanks for the blog posts that even though far away we can still “see you”! t and g